Cauliflower is one of my favorite veggies when it is cooked properly. I love it when it's crispy and it tastes so good in the air fryer. This Sticky Air Fried Sweet Chili Cauliflower (vegan) is one of my favorite cauliflower recipes.

I made this recipe in the air fryer, but I also included instructions for the oven in case you don't have one. This recipe could totally convert over any cauliflower hater.

Let's get into the recipe.

This sticky air fried cauliflower is

easy to make
healthy for you
vegan, gluten free, dairy free and plant based
a delicious vegan side dish
sweet and spicy

What ingredients do I need to make air fried sweet and spicy cauliflower?

cauliflower
oil
salt
black pepper
garlic powder
water
rice wine vinegar
sugar
soy sauce
chili flakes
garlic clove
ginger
arrowroot starch or cornstarch

Instructions to make crispy air fried sweet chili cauliflower

Toss cauliflower with oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
Add cauliflower to an even layer to air fryer. You may have to do two batches.
Air fry at 400 degrees for 14-18 minutes or until desired crispness is achieved. I like my cauliflower browned so I air fried mine closer to 18 minutes. Shake halfway through. If you don't have an air fryer you can bake your cauliflower on a lined sheet pan at 425 degrees for 30-35 minutes.
To make sweet chili sauce, whisk together all sauce ingredients. Heat a small pot over medium heat on your stovetop. Add sauce to pot and bring to a simmer. Whisk until thickened. It should thicken within 2 minutes.
Toss cauliflower with sauce and serve. I topped mine with fresh chopped cilantro and hemp seeds.

Equipment needed for sticky and crispy sweet chili cauliflower

I used the ninja foodie XL air fryer and I love it.

Other vegan sides to try

If you make this Sticky Air Fried Sweet Chili Cauliflower (vegan), please leave me a rating and review on this blog post. This is the best way to support me!

Tag me on Instagram so I can repost you!

Sticky Air Fried Sweet Chili Cauliflower (vegan)

vegan air fried sticky sweet chili cauliflower

This sticky air fried sweet chili cauliflower is a delicious way to enjoy cauliflower.

Author: Kristi Roeder
Prep Time: 5
Cook Time: 15
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 1x
Category: sides
Method: air fryer
Cuisine: american

Scale

Ingredients

This makes 2-3 servings

Cauliflower

1 small head cauliflower - cut into small florets
1 tbsp oil
1 tsp salt
black pepper to taste
1 tsp garlic powder

Sweet Chili Sauce

⅓ cup + 1 tbsp water
⅓ cup rice wine vinegar
¼ cup granulated sugar or sugar replacement of choice (I used Swerve)
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tsp red chili flakes
1 garlic clove - minced
~1 teaspoon minced ginger
2 tbsp arrowroot starch or cornstarch

Instructions

Toss cauliflower with oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
Add cauliflower to an even layer to air fryer. You may have to do two batches.
Air fry at 400 degrees for 14-18 minutes or until desired crispness is achieved. I like my cauliflower browned so I air fried mine closer to 18 minutes. Shake halfway through. If you don't have an air fryer you can bake your cauliflower on a lined sheet pan at 425 degrees for 30-35 minutes.
To make sweet chili sauce, whisk together all sauce ingredients. Heat a small pot over medium heat on your stovetop. Add sauce to pot and bring to a simmer. Whisk until thickened. It should thicken within 2 minutes.
Toss cauliflower with sauce and serve. I topped mine with fresh chopped cilantro and hemp seeds.

Keywords: cauliflower, sweet chili cauliflower, air fried cauliflower